New fire engine gets wet wheels and a big push

Sheriff and Fire Chief complete ritual

The newest addition to Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue had to pushed into the firehouse. Not to worry, it works.

Firefighting tradition dictates new fire engines have to have their wheels washed and then get pushed into the parking bay. So Sheriff Al Lamberti and Fire Chief Neal de Jesus gave the 42-foot long heavy rescue truck a big shove with help from the department's Technical Rescue Team on Friday.

The housing ceremony dates back to the 19th century, when the era of hub and spoke wooden wheels was the norm on fire trucks. The wheels of the fire truck were always washed down after it returned from a fire, to keep the wooden wheels from drying and cracking from the exposure to the heat and soot.

The other ritual originated when fire trucks were horse-drawn. After the horses were released from the truck, the firemen pushed the truck back into the station upon returning from a run.

Squad 32, as its known, will carry equipment needed for difficult and extended rescue operations involving vehicle extrication, building collapse, high-angle, trench and other difficult rescues.

It also has a generator, scene lighting and an on-board air cascade system that can refill firefighters' breathing air tanks at a fire.